Chapter 26 - 25: Aftermath and Rank
Leon walks past the stunned checkpoint guard without another word. Blood still stains his clothes from the fight in the chamber. The warrior zombie has already dissolved back into his system, leaving no trace of the massacre below.
As he steps into the city, the fresh air hits him like a splash of cold water after hours in the dungeon’s stale atmosphere. The sounds of life envelop him—merchants hawking their goods, children playing in the side streets, the everyday noise of ordinary people.
Leon pulls his hood up and keeps walking. The blood on his gear would draw attention if anyone looks too closely. Four dead ARES hunters mean investigations, questions, and manhunts. It’s better to blend into the crowd and handle his business quietly.
His first stop is three districts away in the warehouse quarter. Jin’s Acquisitions occupies a narrow building between a leather worker and a grain merchant. There are no signs or advertisements—just a plain door that opens for the right customer.
Leon knocks twice, pauses, then knocks three more times.
The door cracks open. Jin’s weathered face appears in the gap, eyes scanning the street behind Leon before settling on his bloodstained clothes.
"Busy day?" Jin’s voice holds no judgment; blood usually means profit in his work.
"You could say that."
Jin opens the door wider, and Leon steps into a cramped room lined with weapons, armor, and artifacts that don’t officially exist. Everything here has a history—usually a violent one.
Leon pulls items from his inventory: Kalden’s enhanced gauntlets, Serik’s chain fragments, Minseo’s throwing knives and stealth cloak, Marsen’s fire sword, and an ARES Guild badge.
Jin examines each piece with a practiced eye, his fingers tracing the guild insignia, recognizing the craftsmanship and rarity.